Notable Serie A Players Shine During September-October International Break

Nico Paz of Como had a remarkable international break with Argentina, scoring three goals in three matches. His contributions included a striking performance in Lionel Messi’s final match for Argentina, a 3-0 win against Benin on October 6, 2026. Paz also found the net during a 4-0 friendly victory over Bolivia and a 7-0 win against Burkina Faso, fueling speculation about him possibly succeeding Messi as Argentina's new no.10.

Alessandro Bastoni, representing Italy and playing for Inter, demonstrated a strong return after a difficult start to 2026. Following a red card in a World Cup play-off, Bastoni celebrated scoring in a 4-1 victory over Turkey and contributed to a 1-1 draw against France. His adaptability in a back four, a shift from his usual role in a back three, reflects encouraging progress for the defender under coach Roberto Mancini.

Pio Esposito, also from Inter, added two goals to his tally during this international break, raising his total to seven from 13 caps. Despite less playing time at the club level due to competition from Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, Esposito has secured his role as Italy’s first-choice center-forward. Premier League champions Arsenal are reportedly monitoring his progress following a recent long-term contract extension with Inter.

In other performances, Goncalo Ramos from Milan helped Portugal maintain their perfect start in the Nations League with goals in three consecutive matches. His 14 international goals have all come in winning matches, solidifying his role as a key player for his national team.

Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli matched Ramos's scoring record during the break, netting three goals, although Denmark did not fare as well overall. Hojlund’s goals came in games against Norway, Portugal, and Wales, bringing his season total to five goals across all competitions.

Honorable mentions include Lautaro Martinez of Argentina, who scored twice and recorded two assists, becoming his nation’s third all-time leading goalscorer, and Vasilije Adzic from Sassuolo, with two goals as Montenegro topped their Nations League group.